Psalm 4

Read Psalm 4 ESV

Who - David calling to the LORD during some time of distress.  David is also speaking to the hearers of this song.

What - David is calling to God in song during some time of trouble.  He is also speaking to those who hear this song to trust in the LORD and live in covenant faithfulness to God.  As a song meant for corporate worship (To the choirmaster) it is designed to exalt God and call the people to trust in the LORD.  

When - No specific event or time is given.  The wording of this song could fit any of the many distresses David faced.  

Where - Unknown

Why - David gives three reasons for this song.  First to ask God for relief from his distress 9vs 1).  Second to instruct his hearers to trust God (vs 5).  Third to praise and give adoration to God (vs 7 & 8).  

How - David opens with a plea for God to hear his call for help.  David then turns to, presumably, those men who are causing his troubles and calls on them to abandon their dishonest ways.  David warns those men that the LORD hears David’s prayers and they should expect God to act.  David now calls on his hearers to obedience and trust in the LORD.  Starting in verse 6 David pivots from his cry for relief to declarations of his trust in the LORD.  David recounts God’s past blessings and proclaims God’s future deliverance.  

So What 

1. David gives us a model for seeking God in times of trouble.  We should acknowledge God’s hearing of our prayers when we cry out to Him.  God does not turn a blind eye to the deeds of the wicked.  Affirm our trust in God’s acting on behalf of the righteous.  We should also recount of God’s previous blessings and deliverance and praise him for what He has done and will do.  
2. This psalm is also a model for worship, both private and corporate.  David gives us not only a pattern to follow for worship, but the areas of focus for our worship.  As believers in Christ we can praise and thank God that He hears our prayers because of Christ work on the Cross in the past and Christ current work as our mediator right now.  We can offer the sacrifices of praise and obedience.  We can give Him glory for the joy and delight we enjoy in Christ and being in fellowship with God the Father and Jesus the Son through the Holy Spirit.  We can praise and thank our heavenly Father for the peacefulness to lie down and sleep because He makes us dwell in safety.
3. When God has given you relief from your troubles testify to His goodness and how he delivered you.